UK: Legionnaires' probe at animal virus link lab
A suspected case of Legionnaires’ disease with alleged links to the Institute for Animal Health at Pirbright in the UK is under investigation tonight.
The research centre is one of several locations being routinely assessed, the Health Protection Agency confirmed.
The institute stands on the Pirbright laboratory facility in Surrey which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has concluded was a “strong possibility” of being the site where the current foot and mouth outbreak began.
It is believed the case of Legionnaires’ disease pre-dates the outbreak of foot and mouth, and the HPA have confirmed that the two are not linked.
The HPA said in a statement today an investigation at the IAH site had focused on the ISO10 building, in which the individual infected with Legionnaires’ had been working.
Early findings suggest the institute was carrying out all necessary maintenance and monitoring work in compliance with the approved code of practice for the control of Legionella.
The results of further sampling over a wider area are still awaited, the HPA said.
The IAH is being considered as one of a number of possible sources of contamination and investigators are examining everywhere the patient has visited in the 10-14 days before falling ill.
Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of bacterium found in the environment which causes a problem if it is converted into an aerosol form from a water source – such as showers – and inhaled.
The news comes as it was announced the culling of 362 animals on a third site adjacent to one of the previously infected premises on suspicion of foot and mouth has been completed.
In total, 576 animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, have been slaughtered since the outbreak began, Defra said.
Restrictions on the movement of livestock directly from farms to slaughterhouses and the collection of dead animals have now been relaxed, although a ban on all other movements of susceptible animals remains in place.
The National Farmers’ Union said there had been no reports of problems today, as the industry attempted to return to normality.
“It seems to be returning to normal, a lot of farmers are playing catch-up following a week in which everything has been put on hold,” a spokesman said.
“As far as we understand there have not been any difficulties, and things are running smoothly.
“It is a relief all round, particularly for lamb and pig producers, where the maturation period is only a few days, and they need to move quickly.”
And although a European Union ban on the export of British meat remains in place, the NFU said it was “encouraged” by the prospect the ban could soon be partially lifted.
NFU president Peter Kendall said: “We are encouraged that dates have been set to review the situation regarding the export ban and that new decisions could be possible within the next few weeks.
“The decision clearly demonstrates the EU’s confidence in the measures that have already been taken to control the disease and we will continue to do everything we can to get low-risk status and exports to the EU back on track.”
The export ban is expected to remain in place until August 25 but a review will be undertaken by the EU’s Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health on August 23, when a new decision could be taken.
But the issue of compensation for farmers affected by the latest outbreak looks set to continue.
In the north of England, a group of farmers has started a campaign for compensation.
Self-employed export official Peter Bartley, 59, based in Gisburn, Lancashire, anticipates losing up to £400,000 due to the EU export ban.
He said: “We are losing money hand over fist and have no indication of when this might end.
“This affects so many people – the farmers, the exporters, the people we rent our buildings off and our families. This impacts on everybody connected to the industry.”
The NFU has retained law firm Thring Townsend to carry out some preliminary investigatory work on behalf of union members who have suffered losses as a result of the outbreak.
This work will involve taking advice on potential grounds for a legal claim in the event that it is confirmed the foot and mouth disease virus came from one of the sites at Pirbright, the NFU said in a statement.
The Government’s chief veterinary officer, Debby Reynolds, has confirmed the strain of virus found at the second site was the same as that discovered at the first.
Asked if she believed the situation was now under control, Dr Reynolds said it was still “very early”.
“We have got two infected premises and a new premise that has been culled on suspicion.
“The risk of spread outside is low but not negligible,” she said.
